High level brake light change
Discussion
Same thing happened to my similarly equipped CLK which I believe is a fairly common problem. They are quite easy to get at once you have removed the plastic trim clips that hold the inner boot lining in place and the light strip itself is held in place by a nut at either end. Remove the connector and both nuts to get the old light strip out, although I guess the light itself has already come out.
I seem to recall the new light strip was around £85 or so from MB but when you refit don't, whatever you do, over tighten the retaining nuts or you will simply crack the plastic body again!
According to the parts man, MB have redesigned the light strip body so it is less prone to breaking, but having compared both, I ain't so sure! They both looked identical to me, unless the plastic itself has been changed to a less brittle mix. Probably just bulls**t from the parts man I suspect.
I seem to recall the new light strip was around £85 or so from MB but when you refit don't, whatever you do, over tighten the retaining nuts or you will simply crack the plastic body again!
According to the parts man, MB have redesigned the light strip body so it is less prone to breaking, but having compared both, I ain't so sure! They both looked identical to me, unless the plastic itself has been changed to a less brittle mix. Probably just bulls**t from the parts man I suspect.
P.Nott said:
Same thing happened to my similarly equipped CLK which I believe is a fairly common problem. They are quite easy to get at once you have removed the plastic trim clips that hold the inner boot lining in place and the light strip itself is held in place by a nut at either end. Remove the connector and both nuts to get the old light strip out, although I guess the light itself has already come out.
I seem to recall the new light strip was around £85 or so from MB but when you refit don't, whatever you do, over tighten the retaining nuts or you will simply crack the plastic body again!
According to the parts man, MB have redesigned the light strip body so it is less prone to breaking, but having compared both, I ain't so sure! They both looked identical to me, unless the plastic itself has been changed to a less brittle mix. Probably just bulls**t from the parts man I suspect.
Yeah, I think your right, the only difference i can see, is the foam gasket, the old one has got a o ring. And that s it, I seem to recall the new light strip was around £85 or so from MB but when you refit don't, whatever you do, over tighten the retaining nuts or you will simply crack the plastic body again!
According to the parts man, MB have redesigned the light strip body so it is less prone to breaking, but having compared both, I ain't so sure! They both looked identical to me, unless the plastic itself has been changed to a less brittle mix. Probably just bulls**t from the parts man I suspect.
Hmmm, probably hoping the foam gasket will provide a bit more cushioning of the light strip against the metal boot lid. Oddly enough, my new one still had the O ring of the original. Somebody said to me he reckoned that slamming the boot lid down probably didn't help with longevity of the plastic light, which might be a consideration. Anyhow, I traded the car in a few months later, so not a problem for me now! 
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